MARTIN O’Neill believes a resurgent Sunderland will present Villa with “an almighty tussle” at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

Having already won at Arsenal, Everton, West Ham and Hull, O’Neill’s side will be chasing a fifth straight away win for the first time in almost 11 years.

Villa last managed those wins between March 1998 and May 1998 when John Gregory’s side made a late charge into the UEFA Cup places.

That was shortly after Gregory replaced Brian Little and saw his side rattle off wins at Chelsea, Everton, Coventry, Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday.

However, O’Neill is predicting a battle against Sunderland, who have pushed Villa to the limit three times over the past 13 months and are enjoying a renaissance under Ricky Sbragia.

“The games we have played against Sunderland since they last came up have been difficult,” he said. “Last season they beat us at our place, we drew when it was a real tough battle up at the Stadium of Light last year and we managed to come from behind this season.

“All three have been very tight games and I would expect that again. They are a very fine club and it will be an almighty tussle for us.”

Villa were thankful to a late Shaun Maloney free-kick in rescuing a point at the ground in December 2007.

Michael Chopra’s only goal won the return three months later at Villa Park before Ashley Young and John Carew combined to give Villa a narrow win after Djibril Cisse’s early opener in September.

Sunderland have taken 11 points from six matches since a narrow defeat at Manchester United after Roy Keane’s resignation which followed a 4-1 home thrashing to Bolton.

“There has been a bit of a resurgence,” continued O’Neill.

“The confidence has been regained from the matches they’ve been playing at home, probably since Bolton.

“I think Sunderland on their own pitch have the ability to play.

“They are getting some confidence from winning football matches which is obviously the most important ingredient.

“Sunderland will present us with plenty of problems. It’s a Premier League game.”